Abbasid gold coins preserved in the Bangladesh National Museum

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This study aims to provide meticulous identification of eight valuable, unpublished gold coins from Abbasid dynasty preserved in the collection of the Bangladesh National Museum and analyze their inscriptions, ultimately exploring their historical significance within the context of early Arab-Bengal trade relations. Discovered in the Chandpur and Brahmanbaria districts near the Samatata archaeological site in 1996 and 2002, these coins are not detailed in the museum’s inventory beyond their discovery and acquisition history. This study reveals key details such as their issuing authority, year of issuance, mint name, metal composition, measurements, and inscriptions that promote Islamic monotheism and praise the Prophet Muhammad. Analyzing the inscriptions on these coins, the study briefly highlights the distinctive features of Abbasid gold coins. These coins represent as essential artefacts in the history of early Arabs and ancient Bengal, prominently featuring commercial symbols. Indirect references in the historical texts from Arab-Persian geographers suggest that Bengal was a flourishing commercial hub in ancient time and well-integrated into maritime trade networks with early Arab merchants. The archaeological evidence of their trading interactions is substantiated by these gold coins, illustrating the extent of this relation spanning from the eighth to the tenth centuries.